That was fast!
Just a little over a month after the 2017 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue hit newsstands, the magazine debuted its first 2018 rookie.
Brazil native Anne de Paula, who turns 22 this week, found out in a tear-jerking reveal on Tuesday that she’ll grace the pages of the iconic edition.
The model, who started working in the industry when she was only 14, was picked by online voters as the winner of Sports Illustrated’s Model Search competition, meaning she is guaranteed a spot in the rookie section of next year’s issue.
Anne thought she had been called to star in a regular episode of “SI Now,” the magazine’s program, but a surprise message she read on the teleprompter revealed the life-changing news. Watch the emotional moment below:
“I’m Anne de Paula and I’m the winner of the SI Swimsuit search,” she read in between sobs.
The 21-year-old posed in nothing but body paint as part of this year’s Model Search competition — and by the looks of her pictures, we’re not surprised she was handpicked out of all the gorgeous ladies.
Anna may look totally glam in all her snapshots, but the model is actually a self-described tomboy! She enjoys a variety of sports, including Muay Thai boxing.
Last year’s winner, Mia Kang, also shares her love for the sport. Kang has risen to fame since her sexy debut in the magazine, so we can also expect the same for her equally stunning successor.
